UGC go-ahead to final-year exams across varsities: Online, offline, or blend of both

THE EXAMINATIONS

WILL HAVE TO BE HELD BY SEPTEMBER 30 IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SOP APPROVED BY THE UNION HEALTH MINISTRY

NEW DELHI: Universities and colleges across the country will have to hold their final-year or final-semester examinations by September 30, the University Grants Commission (UGC) decided on Monday, in a move that coincided with the Union home ministry’s approval to such institutes for conducting these tests.

In a meeting held on Monday, UGC officials decided that finalyear examinations can be held either online, or offline (pen and paper), or using a combination of both. For students not in final year, UGC has allowed universities and colleges to choose their own method to close the academic session.

Students missing the exams in September will get another chance ,and universities will conduct special exams “as and when feasible”, according to UGC guidelines.

Final-term examinations will be held in line with UGC guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for universities, and in compliance with “the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare”, a home ministry statement said.

A statement by UGC said: “The performance in examinations gives confidence and satisfaction to the students and is a reflection of competence, performance and credibility that is necessary for global acceptability.”

A UGC official said the academic year, earlier planned to begin in August-september, could be “pushed further back”.

While there is a general agreement that the academic year needs to be re-looked at, a decision will be taken later, the official said.